ProudGrammy

@@rosebud_char IMO - "mom knows best" this" time (not usually! ) lappers - this is my opinion - please don't get mad at me went to seminar with the intent/decision of the lapband except for gastric bypass - i basically did't know any other WLS i had not heard of the sleeve 4 years ago i told didn't doc i didn't think i could have bypass because i wasn't "big" enough he said "yes you are" ummmm, wonderful comment that i didn't think i needed to hear doc started talking about the sleeve in his seminar ears perked up hubby and i talked to surgeon about the sleeve after much discussion - i chose the sleeve wise decision (for me) 85% of my stomach is now gone i don't miss it sleeve performed 12/15/11 one year later i had lost 105 lbs reaching my goal of 130 fluctuations, but maintaining these past 2.5 years and counting choices/decision are hard to make i would have the sleeve 2X a week and once on sunday!! luckily once is enough!! hope to see you in sleeveland good luck with your decision kathy

clerical state of NY 25 years happily retired volunteer work keeps me out of trouble, off the streets, busy, and very happy kathy

@@Thinside and i are standing alone from the crowd we both think you should wait til January for WLS i think pros out weigh the cons hubby home, mom help, college break what more can you ask for confusion no date for WLS has been confirmed how do you know that Paris would be exactly one week before surgery?? you could schedule the surgery for a few days after you plan to be home from Paris (january) it is a bummer that you need to wait 4 months 4 months is NOT that long some people in other countries have to wait up to a year + before they can have surgery puts things in perspective that 4 months isn't that long 4 months is (i mean feels like ) a lifetime it isn't, really you have more time for preparation watch u-tube get more info from boards look into one of the below books they are written by our "leader " @@Alex Brecher (i receive a free Quest Protein Bar when i send business his way ) - The BIG Book On Bariatric Surgery - The BIG Book On The Gastric Sleeve - The BIG Book On The Gastric Bypass - The BIG Book On The LAP-BAND® work on food now (consider it pre-op) dr. doesn't require pre-op - but you can do it for YOU loose as much weight as you can now (some people loose 20 +lbs) work/practice the new rules you will do for the rest of your life try and eat, drink, exercise now do or do not, there is no try (Yoda from Star Wars) eat wisely over the holiday, trip don't take a 2-3 week funeral you don't want to gain weight in Paris, or over holidays but if you loose now, those lbs you have lost could work to your advantage example - you loose 20 lbs before WLS but gain 3-4 lbs over the holidays......... you still win !!! (not encouraging you to gain weight ) enjoy your Paris excursion (i'm jealous) i'm much smaller now (goal) i could fit in one suitcase !!! (i''ll pay extra weight charge of course ) can i come with you, PLEASE i'm rooting for WLS in January if you choose November - we can still be friends good luck with your hard decision kathy

@ family doctor put me on aspirin many years ago one "side effect" good or bad it can act like a blood thinner 12 days prior to WLS surgeon told me to stop taking aspirin 12 days PO - i was told to restart kathy

25 years clerical/computer worked for state of NY happily retired kathy

@RJ'S/beginning you have always been on my hit parade you have a bad/horrible history with your sleeve i think i do remember one time you said you still would probably have had the sleeve (even after all your complications) am i right?? problems have been gone for a long time, right?? mention your case because there will always be that small% that have had problems with the sleeve i can almost guarantee that changes will continue to happen when/if improvements are made with WLS hope sleeve will continue to be a good "assistant/helper" to weight problems maybe not the latest and greatest but will still be extremely successful, and we can be proud we have it as RJ'S said , "I hope someday they have a pill that can be taken that will rid all mankind of their ills!" wish my crystal ball was working continued good life and success to allll us sleevers today and forever and a day kathy

@jayloui after many surgeries - i've usually been lucky enough to have surgery early in the morning doc has had his coffee, and is wide awake, waiting just for YOU arriving 6:00 am at hospital you won't have hours to be nervous and scared as far as docs sleep.............. how about running over with a sedative/sleeping pill glad you have support/especially from that cutey of a niece tomorrow is the start of your new healthier, happier, longer life good luck speedy recovery kathy

@@Elode i have wondered about this too now with your remark one more reminder lapband was wonderful for years still is for some/many ie @@Alex Brecher now "they" are performing "robotics" - (not sure what that is) balloon??? what's next??? what if sleeve does develop problems down the road??? eeeeek or new and improved sleeve appears can't stop progress but potential future problems with the sleeve?????? hopefully not hubby works with computers he exaggerates a "little" ...............but he says as soon as one computer comes out new improved computer waiting to get rid of old is that gonna be from one WLS to another ie the sleeve i am happy to live in the present only place i can control can't/shouldn't worry about things that possibly "might" happen why look for trouble then again.......... have to end this on a positive note (what else is new ) 99% of us sleevers are thrilled with life living the dream of becoming/getting/staying healthy and happy one foot in front of another one day at a time their is that bright light at end of the tunnel put your sunglasses on kathy

@@Nibbler congrats on making a tough decision (one that i agree with) glad you aren't delaying surgery you are putting yourself on the front burner where you belong as others have pointed out if you start to postpone for this reason, or another something will come up next time, and next time etc who knows when and if you will ever get the surgery don't know if there is a "perfect" time for surgery best of luck to your daughter and "newbies" to arrive your family, daughter, grandkids et al also will benefit from your improved health and happiness too you are on the road to a healthier, happier, longer life who deserves it more good luck next month speedy recovery kathy

@@provenzee "to thine own self be true" people/you/me often stick their head in the sand avoiding their weight problems it can be hard to admit/recognize/admit their is a problem good for you on your realization about yourself stepping up proceeding to have surgery you sound like a pretty smart "cookie" to me you want to be healthier, happier knee, back, other physical issues will improve as you lose weight many eating, drinking et al rules to follow from day of surgery your new eating/drinking habits do not stop at goal you need to continue your new lifestyle with food for the rest of your life that's fine with good health/weight - you can look forward to a longer life great to start now practicing proper eating, drinking etc get a head start pre-op and lose some weight you work with the sleeve, and it will work with you good luck kathy

@@Pinkgirl1234 sorry for your problems with the band is the revision to the sleeve in process? do you have approval??? date?? inquiry minds want to know kathy

@@byebyefat i think it's ok that you called dr's office taking matters in your own hands you have the right!!! you were waiting for approval from insurance i can relate to your anxiety i think administrator did drop the ball she would probably "eventually" realize she wasn't on top of your case but you forging ahead was good - taking charge of yourself make sure you (everyone) ALWAYS are nice/respectful to OP catch more flies with honey glad you got a positive response /reply for surgery hopefully surgery will be scheduled sooner than later your comment "most likely won't sleep till tomorrow lol" get over it!! deal with it you know what a grouch you can be in the morning without your 8 hours of sleep sweet dreams good luck speedy recovery kathy

@@Bryce Juneau Sr. great pics you MEN!!!! women and men usually work equally hard but men frequently lose more weight in a quicker time period then women 2 months PO 109 lbs down keep up the great job continued success good luck kathy congrats

@@jessicashae33 hi newbie feeling excited, nervous and other emotions? all normal reactions you are going to have major surgery tomorrow traveling to a different country "sounds" like you are going alone you are on the ride of a lifetime (ride, plain - get it ) might be a few bumps in the road (stalls etc) that's ok life is "full of it" ups and downs have a safe flight good luck tomorrow welcoming you to sleeveland saving a spot next to me on the losers bench good luck speedy recovery kathy

@@laguerr13 direct answer IMHO i think lapband is on the way out gone sooner than later "my" opinion I made a mistake "ONCE" i thought i was wrong many doctors choose not to perform the lapband soon my surgeon would stop doing lapband all together too many "issues"/problems i asked tentative surgeon his opinion lapband vs sleeve response was that he rarely did the lapband anymore lapband can be successful for some people for a while/ years the true test is years down the road if a prob occurs (like erosion,) covering my new and improved small/gone asssss always 2 sides of a coin many lapsters have and will continue to be successful @@Alex Brecher is a good example of great results with the lapband i think he is pushing 10 years of happiness/success with his band sleeve has few issues (gerd can be very bad) but down the road who knows? looking in my "crystal ball" i do not see problems with the sleeve 99% (think thats the right %) of sleevers are successful i have llllloved and will continue to love my sleeve of 3.5 years and counting i am healthy and happy, enjoying life at GOAL to alllll sleevers and lapsters - good luck with your decision of WLS laguerr13, you've had wonderful success with your sleeve over 100 lbs lost!! keep up the good work i'm sure you will kathy congrats

@@volsfan82 4 years ago i started the approval "walk"/process at that time they did NOT cover the sleeve they did cover lapband and gastric bypass i i didn't want to do either of the above medicare denied me then i submitted to my secondary insurance BCBS from my office after quite awhile/"discussions" i was approved by BCBS medicare now DOES cover the sleeve (lapband and gastric bypass) as long as you have other comorbities and BMI over 40 don't know how long the approval process takes or what the % what they pay you must check into this after reading above - don't think i helped hope you get the info from medicare - call them hope everything goes well good luck kathy

@@Djmohr thanx for the heads up swiss chocolate feel like i died and went to heaven kathy thanx

@@limichelle34 too often people put themselves on the "back burner" time to turn off back burner, and sit right in front exciting to start the process towards bariatric surgery the sleeve "time to shine" "putting my sunglasses on have fun jumping thru all the hoops with insurance you have a wonderful attitude and optimism good luck kathy

@@NMJG It's been two years now since my sleeve, and it's the best choice I ever made.n. Eat Protein first Eat vegetables second, and eat a good variety of them Enjoy fruit but limit it Avoid starches and sugars as much as possible (potatoes, rice, corn, bread, tortillas, Cereal, pasta) and save them for special occasions. pizza is my downfall. Keep up with your Water, Vitamins, and tests to insure you are not deficient -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- happy surgiversary hey stranger - i remember you you are great to help others with repeating words of wisdom that newbies/we all need to follow, live by glad you are doing well!! lets meet for drinks water of courses toast to our good new lives and health see you around the neighborhood keep up the good job i know you will Kathy Congrats

@@Vad1988 @@OutsideMatchInside i agree Dr. Phil - "no matter how flat you make a pancake, it always has 2 sides" you do frequently see posts saying no problems with surgery, recovery, etc there are some posts that tell of problems with surgery/recovery good and bad stories unfortunately, the bad stories stick out/remembered in newbies et al minds i "think" .01% WLS patients have bad results (not sure of that stat) these positive threads are great for newbies and others to see my pre, post op, surgery, recovery etc went wonderful 3.5 years PO later still smiling kathy happy camper

@@purplegirl20073 peak a boo I see you welcome to sleeveland I've been waiting for you hope all went well good nap during WLS not too much pain?? ask for meds if you need them (now and home) walk the halls as soon as you can if you have gas - walking will help walking is good in general trouble drinking? smalllll sips try and relax/rest at home you just had major surgery hopefully you have some help available hubby, SO, friend, family etc I'll come over too and help as long as you........ have a double chocolate Quest bar and Protein shake waiting for me saving seat on loosers bench next to me of course take care good luck speedy recovery kathy

@@Beck90 in my pre-op "life", i always drank with my meals i've heard on the board that many, many OP have trouble/struggle not drinking while they eat once i was PO - i just stopped drinking while i ate - cold turkey not too happy about it i might have the teeniest sip of Water to wet my mouth when/if necessary (very seldom) do what we gotta do, right pre-op it might help you to get used to not drinking while you eat please don't have the "defeatist" attitude that you won't be successful i "think" i understand your situation talk to your NUT (nutritionist) explain your gagging/other problems she might be able to help you/talk with you give you suggestions (glass held high - drinking to your health ) good luck kathy

@@jenn1 nothing "little" on your latest accomplishment anything new you can do PO - is wonderful belts are so cute love how they look on OTHERS tried and tried to get rid of the rest of my tummy can't/won't tuck my blouse in i would look awful belt would accent that horrible tummy area every where else on me is PERFECT!! 122 lbs gone!! party dance party dance i "peaked" at your pic in profile you look great strutt your stuff with that belt Kathy congrats

@@dsheive "vagus nerve" @@Sanstan @@Bufflehead you guys are too smart for me 3.5 years post op i never knew the answer kathy

@@gowalking meet 1/2 way between general areas like me (syracuse, NY) and other states hard to do maybe separate smaller groups w/ people living state to state closer to each other i would be game for that ie california could have a separate group (i don't live there ) large state, but that is definitely a thought IMO good idea kathy